McCain: Threats to Assad must have "teeth"

May 25 - McCain says threats against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must have enough teeth to force him to negotiate. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

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The conflict in Syria has gone on for more than two years -- and has already cost more than 80,000 lives.
Many more have been wounded in the fight --including children.
Amateur video which could not be independently verified by Reuters shows the relentless violence.
Now amid the prospect for peace talks next month U.S. Senator John McCain says it will take force to convince President Bashar al-Assad to pursue peace.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SENATOR, JOHN MCCAIN, SAYING:
"Unless Bashar Assad is convinced that the battlefield situation will not be in his favor, in other words, if he believes he can survive, I do not believe that he will seriously negotiate."
Speaking at a news conference at the World Economic Forum in Jordan McCain made it clear he wanted the U.S. to take stronger action against Syria.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SENATOR, JOHN MCCAIN, SAYING:
"There must be some teeth in Geneva 2, that if he fails to agree to an orderly transition then the consequences will be severe. In my view, that will be the establishment of a no-fly zone, the taking out of his air power, and to move the patriot missile batteries to protect that no-fly zone."
As the Syrian opposition is trying to find common cause, Assad's forces are unleashing heavy fire to win back rebel terrain near the Lebanese border.

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